When I first bought my jon boat, it didn’t take long to realize I needed more seating — and more storage. Instead of cluttering up the deck with a cooler and a separate chair, I decided to combine the two and turn an ice chest into a seat.
I started with a 48-quart cooler that fit perfectly between the ribs of my boat. The first thing I did was measure and mark the placement so it wouldn’t shift while I was moving. Then I installed two heavy-duty tie-down straps, one on each side. These keep the cooler locked in place but also let me remove it when I need to clean or load ice.
For comfort, I bought a padded cooler seat cushion made to snap right onto the lid. This upgrade was worth every penny. Not only is it surprisingly comfortable for long trips, but I can sit on it while still accessing everything inside.
Now I’ve got cold drinks, extra seating, and a cleaner deck — all in one simple DIY project